Thrombosis in the arm is less common than in the leg, but it can also be dangerous. Here you can find out how to recognize an arm thrombosis and what can help.
What is thrombosis in the arm?
While most people have heard of thrombosis in the leg, thrombosis in the arm is much less common - certainly because it occurs much less frequently in comparison.
Nevertheless, a dangerous vascular occlusion due to a blood clot can also occur in the veins of the arm.
Typical symptoms include swelling of the arm and hand and visibly protruding veins. Thrombosis is dangerous because the thrombus can break loose, travel through the body via the bloodstream, and thus block other vessels - for example, those of the lungs, which can lead to a life-threatening pulmonary embolism.
Causes and risk factors: How does thrombosis develop in the arm?
As with venous thrombosis in the legs, thrombosis in the arm usually develops through an interaction of various factors. In addition to a hereditary predisposition to clotting disorders, the following causes can increase the risk of so-called superficial vein thrombosis:
Injury to the vein, for example, from an injection when blood is drawn. In the case of thrombosis in the arm, this is the most common of the causes.
Varicose veins, because slow down blood flow and promote inflammation and clumping.
Constrictions, e.g., caused by clothing that is too tight.
Incidentally, women are more likely to suffer from vein complaints, so they make up a large proportion of patients with thrombosis.
Symptoms of thrombosis in the arm
The following thrombosis signs may appear in the arm:
- Swelling of the arm and hand
- Noticeable overheating of the arm
- Pain during movements and when pressure is applied
- Veins appear bluish
- The arm is partially discolored reddish-purple
Treatment: What to do in case of venous thrombosis in the arm?
If thrombosis is suspected in the arm or leg, the affected part of the body should be elevated and kept still to improve blood flow. Then a tight but not constricting compression bandage should be applied that extends beyond the site of the thrombosis. So, for example, if the forearm is affected, the bandage should be applied above the elbow joint. The doctor must be consulted immediately.
Certain medications are designed to prevent the thrombus from growing further or becoming dislodged. In the best case, the drug treatment even helps the body to break down the blood clot. The drug heparin is often used for this - it inhibits blood clotting. Patients must then take further medication for up to six months in what is known as maintenance therapy to prevent the development of further thrombosis.
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